If you believe the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), Kona Airport will reopen at the first light of day on Tuesday after its shutdown today at 4:20 to assess cracks on runway 17/35. That gives them time to work with contractors to mill and resurface a 10′ x 10′ area. While we hope that’s true, HDOT has not always been reliable with its estimates on runway repairs. Consider the Honolulu runway project that dragged on for nearly 18 months and caused innumerable flight delays.
Currently, inbound flights to Kona are mostly being diverted to Honolulu. Hilo may be needed if the delays drag on or resurface.
As many of you know, Hilo had recent issues of its own, with a closure for a runway repair and a shutdown of its malfunctioning TSA screening equipment, which resulted in endless lines. Both are resolved. But Big Island visitors may be in for more headaches as most rental cars are at Kona, not Hilo, and the major resort areas are nearby. The Hilo Airport is located 90 minutes to 2 hours from Kona, depending on the route.
The major issues related to cracking of runway 17/35 at Kona aren’t fully known at this time. HDOT announced they are evaluating the runway situation to determine how much of it can still be used.
How did this suddenly become so serious?
It’s been known that the Kona Airport runway was scheduled to be resurfaced this year. But to our knowledge, there’s been no information available to the public from the Hawaii Department of Transportation that detailed such a serious problem that could require a sudden and complete halt in airport operations. If HDOT was aware of this problem, it isn’t clear why it wasn’t addressed or discussed. Not handled promptly, runway cracks can quickly worsen, leading to more extensive damage to the runway surface and underlying materials.
Was the problem revealed during regular inspections?
Airports are required to conduct routine runway inspections to promptly identify and address issues. A proactive runway maintenance program is essential to safety and reliable operations. When cracks are found, their development should be monitored even more frequently. Coordination with aviation authorities and airlines themselves is also essential. Were airlines operating at Kona aware of the severity of the problem?
Hawaii Flights Vexed Until 2024 By Massive Airport Problems.
A full runway replacement is scheduled for later this year, with no details.
When the runway replacement occurs, which we still presume will occur later, will the airport be able to operate through that process, or could it need to be closed again? We don’t know yet what that replacement process will look like.
Coud Hilo airport handle all the volume of interisland, mainland and international flights that normally land at Kona?
Usually, about one hundred commercial flights operate into and out of Kona. Hilo, once the primary airport on the island, has become a secondary airport, and many functions are not up to the demand that being the sole airport on the Big Island could create. Hilo Airport typically sees a total of about 40 flights daily. That’s a big difference.
The amount of infrastructure required to move airport operations to Hilo is vast if that becomes needed. It includes flights, car rentals, restaurants, and more.
Hawaii flight safety concerns arise.
Airport runway cracks can pose safety risks for aircraft during takeoff and landing. In the worst case, these can lead to uneven surfaces with potential accidents or aircraft damage.
Pressure on Hawaii Department of Transportation following HNL Airport runway failure.
In November, without notice, HDOT said it would divert all aircraft to other runways arriving and departing at Honolulu Airport. That was the result of spalling discovered on Runway 8L. Those runway issues have now gone on for nearly 1.5 years. At HNL, James Tokioka, head of Hawaii DBEDT, told Beat of Hawaii that the spalling resulted from inclement weather during the runway construction period starting fall 2022 and that the period for repair was not known but would not be short.
That last HNL runway issue resulted from spalling on the concrete airport runway, meaning breaking off of concrete surfaces into fragments. Spalling, like cracking on airport runways is very concerning since it can lead to foreign object debris endangering aircraft.
If you plan to arrive or depart Kona in the next few days, or maybe even for the rest of the year (given the full runway replacement upcoming), check with your airline first. And if you get caught in the closure fiasco, share your story in the comment section.
Photo of American Airlines plane at Kona Airport.
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thank god i came in 2 hours before this and had a great time in kona Hawaii.
These were “maintenance issues” not “weather” or “acts of God” cost me $912.47 for additional flight to Oahu, transport to Hilo, and extra night hotel stay. The airport/gov’t refuses to take responsibility, and believes that we aren’t intelligent enough to realize their explanation is complete bs. This will be an incredibly simple court case to argue, especially given history of runway issues with cracking and the fact that the runway is scheduled to be replaced. These types of “storms” happen every year per the government’s own admission in interviews. Your runway should be able to handle a bit of rain. This is an absurd classification, and I will fight it. Hotels should’ve been covered without question.
They should have paid for everything.
Hi, I completely agree with you. Did you move forward with a small claims suit? How is it going? I’m considering doing the same. Thanks!
My wife and I visit Napili, Maui every year so the airport issues are of interest to us. We live in an upper Midwest state with substantial snow and cold weather. The runways at our airport are plowed to clear snow down to the pavement many times per winter. I’ve never heard of these runways needing emergency repairs, cracking, etc. It makes me wonder who is doing the paving work in Hawai’i.
Wish List: hopefully, this situation will prompt construction of a ‘cross-wind’ runway prior to repairs. Of all the islands, only Kona is lacking this safety feature (yes, even Moloka’i has one).
Hey, thanks for doing such a great job! Heard on the radio around 7:30am this morning (1/16/24) that operations at KOA had resumed at 6am , with the repaired section almost finished!
Yes again, the state shows its vulnerability on matters of infrastructure. Green needs to kick some ʻēlemu at HIDOT.
They weren’t prepared. Flights to Kona should have been sent to Hilo and passengers bussed to Kona.
Landing on other islands isn’t going to solve the issue of people returning home to Kona or tourists here for vacations.
from
FB this am:Hawaii Department of Transportation
·
KOA 1/16/24 2:45AM update: Runway repairs are nearly complete and operations at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole will resume for scheduled passenger flights at 6AM. Please check with your airline if you had a flight scheduled on 1/15 or 1/16.
During repairs another section was identified for overnight repairs. The work will be done between 12-3AM 1/17 and will not impact commercial flights.
Seems your Gov. Greens plan to limit over tourism is going well.
Possibly a Big impact on Hawaii travel. The Spirit and JetBlue merger was just blocked by a judge taking the administration’s side. The proposed Hawaiian merger may face very rough skies in court…
Best Regards
We are taking our annual trek to Kona in late February. So, we will be following this closely. Still, the question remains that since Hawaii is so dependent on air travel for tourism and cargo transport just how can they allow their critical infrastructure to crumble so badly? Just how competent is Hawaii’s government? This seems to be Third-World performance.
How the airlines handled this is startling. United got rooms and reimbursed for transportation for their passengers. Delta said you’re on your own.
The interesting thing is the runway at KOA is asphalt. Usually runways are concrete, so it was surprising to find this out about KOA. Runways made from concrete are often more economical over time, provided they receive the required ongoing maintenance. Asphalt runways require far more maintenance.
HDOT referred to the problem as “cracks” in the runway – suggesting the runway is concrete. However, HNN this morning showed photos and they are not just cracks but Potholes with chunks loose in the asphalt!
8L at HNL is concrete for the first many feet and asphalt after that. It is that concrete that is spalling after just a few months. I have yet to read any technical explanation of that problem and the solution.
If it it not one thing it is another at hawaii airports,why only here?
The Perils of a One-Party State, dependent on Tourism and Air Travel, like they never saw this coming, HDOT, Ige and Green? Add-in and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg and the 50th State is behind the Eight Ball!
The HDOT knew about the pavement issues since 2018. They were cited for excessive FOD on the runway. They did stop gap pavement resurfacing at that time. The entire runway will be rehabilitated in five phases starting in November 2024 and ending in spring of 2026. Flight operations should not be impacted since the work will be done at night. The contractor will be required to have the runway operational after every workday or face heavy fines.
I was planning a trip to Kona Airport for May; Now, I may have to consider my roundtrip out of LIH, which is my main destination, and only consider round trip interisland if the airport is open. I usually spend 2 weeks on Kauai North Shore and a week on the Big Island if I can secure reasonable tickets and rentals.
About an hour before our flight was to land in Kona, we were told that we were being diverted to Honolulu. We were also told by our airline, Delta, that there would be a team waiting when we got to Honolulu that would help us rebook our flight. After claiming our bags as we were instructed, we found that the Delta ticketing counter was closed and no one was waiting to assist us. Delta dropped the ball on this! Hundreds of passengers wandering the airport aimlessly, with nowhere to go because we were also told all hotels nearby were booked. The runway may not be Delta’s fault, but the way they treated their customers was awful!
What are you hearing about reinstating the Max 9s on Alaska Air? We are scheduled to fly on one from San Jose, CA to Kona on Saturday morning. Thank you. Gary
Hi Gary.
We keep checking but all that has happened is the airlines extend their flight changes one day at a time as we all wait to know what’s next.
Aloha.
Just a confirmation that HDOT is another agency run by politicians.
Thank you for the report!. This is definitely something to keep an eye on and possibly have me change my plans for later this year.
I’m scheduled to fly into Kona on Sunday. We shall see. Thanks for the information
We just returned from Honolulu on Saturday. We flew Southwest non-stop, round trip from Las Vegas and had the best experience. Southwest staff was excellent. Flights were on time and easy. The staff at the Honolulu airport was great. Rental car company (Thirty/Dollar) conveniently across the street was perfect. Wish I could remember the young ladies name who’s on staff there as she is exceptional. We’ve been to Honolulu many many times over the years and really have never had many issues. Our best experience though has been Southwest. Honolulu should be proud of their home airport as far as ease, staffing and the fact that they have the kindest humans helping travelers through stressful times. Love that Airport.
I learned to fly at Kona. I was quite scared of the big military jets that practiced touch and goed as it was a mixed traffic firld. Is that still the case?
Hi Rich.
Good question. Maybe someone who uses that airport more than we do can help inform us.
Aloha.
We watch the C-17s many evenings from our lanai above the airport as they do their touch and go exercises.
Yes, we flew out of KOA first week of December F-35 Lightnings were doing crash & dashes at the airport. Free airshow the sound was incredible.
The military does touch goes at Kona Int’l Airport on a regular basis, especially with the C-17 multi purpose cargo aircraft .
This isn’t an abnormal event, as the military does touch and go
flights to all major airports statewide.
Yes, military aircraft use the runway about twice a month, sometimes after sunset for touch and gos. Always seems to be the same model of large jet, but I don’t know what it is.
Hi Charlie, Richard and Aaron.
Thanks for that helpful information.
Aloha.